Ranking Every 2024 Premium Live Event So Far

From jaw-dropping moments to unforgettable matches and shocking surprises, 2024 has shaped up to be one of the most unprecedented years for WWE. This has included some of the most buzzworthy Premium Live Events in recent memory, with each having its flavor adding into the WWE Universe. Since the monumental title changes and the rise of new stars, each event has thus far played a major role in shaping the landscape of WWE. We’re halfway through the year, which means it’s time to go back and rank every 2024 Premium Live Event to date based on their impact, in-ring quality, and the whole shebang of entertainment value.

1. WrestleMania 40

It comes as no surprise to anyone that WrestleMania 40 is the head of the bunch. It would be the biggest spectacle in sports entertainment once more, with moments and matches that will be remembered for lifetimes and careers. WrestleMania 40 was an extravaganza that went into its second night filled with hyped matches and sights to leave the fans aghast.

But headlining the card was a main event matchup pitting Roman Reigns against Cody Rhodes in a match building up for over a year to Rhodes finally taking down the Tribal Chief and ending the historic title reign of Roman Reigns. This instant classic showed insane storyline emotion with incredible in-ring action. It also saw the return of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, another great segment to watch this year; the very highly hyped showdown between Becky Lynch and Rhea Ripley stole the show on night one. Added to these marquee matchups were the following: LA Knight wins the United States Championship in a thrilling ladder match, and the reunion of The New Day gets the crowd on their feet. WrestleMania 40 celebrated all that is great with WWE: storytelling, athleticism, pure spectacle. It was about, and is about, the greatness of WrestleMania and why, to this date, it remains the pinnacle of sports entertainment.

2. Royal Rumble

The Royal Rumble is always one of the most exciting events on the WWE calendar, and no exception came in the form of its 2024 edition. The drama, surprises, and out-of-your-seat moments were in full supply across both the men’s and women’s matches, with main event spots at WrestleMania hanging in the balance. It was at the event where Randy Orton of WWE made his shocking return to action for the first time in over a year; therefore, his victory was quite feel-good that resonated with the fans. Orton’s win set the stage for a WrestleMania odyssey as he looked to recapture the company’s top spot.

Equally as thrilling was the women’s Royal Rumble match that saw Rhea Ripley dominate the competition by punching her ticket to WrestleMania. This victory cemented Ripley’s place as one of the stars in the women’s division. Indeed, the WWE Championship match that was found to feature Drew McIntyre against Seth Rollins indeed is one of the falls that was confirmed to be the toughest physical and hard-hitting ever witnessed in the WWE Universe from the two men. Adding to that momentum, the surprise return of Trish Stratus and John Cena further made the night an unforgettable night of Royal Rumble. The Royal Rumble is always about surprises and setting the stage for WrestleMania, and that’s exactly what the 2024 edition did. It leaves the fans in anticipation of what is to come.

3. Money in the Bank

Money in the Bank 2024 was one of those events where the stakes were as big as the opportunities for a career change. Money in the Bank ladder matches never fail to be chaotic and wild, and that was no different this year. A true high point of the evening was the men’s ladder match, full of insane spots itself, and the rise of a new star in LA Knight, who won the briefcase and a guaranteed title shot. Knight secured the victory with a thunderous ovation from the crowd, which marked the beginning of his rise to the pinnacle of WWE.

The Women’s Money in the Bank match was pretty great, where IYO SKY came out as the winner after a magical fight. SKY had won, which showed how resilient and determined she was to make her mark in WWE. The event contained a tag team championship match in which The Usos and The Judgment Day participated that made the WWE Universe stand on their feet. It also contained a grudging match between Seth Rollins and AJ Styles that added to the overall excitement of the event. Money in the Bank 2024 was a night of emotion, drama, and promise for the future; truly one of the year’s standout Premium Live Events.

4. SummerSlam

SummerSlam 2024-also known lovingly as such-was truly ‘The Biggest Party of the Summer’ when it did indeed promise some timeless moments and high-stake matches. In the main event, Cody Rhodes successfully defeated Seth Rollins to retain the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship in a bout as personal as it was competitively fierce. Two wrestling icons who were once friends and now find themselves bitter rivals gave the performance of a lifetime as Rhodes would retain his title after an extremely hard-hitting and emotionally charged battle between the two.

SummerSlam also featured a blockbuster match between two of the most physically imposing superstars in WWE, Brock Lesnar versus Gunther.

The clash of titans was everything the fans had hoped for, as both men gave hard-hitting action that left fans speechless. The women’s division was likewise well-represented with a triple threat match between Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, and Bayley, showing off the incredible talent and depth of WWE’s women’s roster. Along with the unexpected return of Edge, while confronting a heel-turned AJ Styles by the end of the match, it set up an interesting rivalry in store for the fans. SummerSlam 2024 had its moments and will be discussed for a long period.

5. Elimination Chamber

Whatever match comes out of the Elimination Chamber, it’s always one of the most ruthless and merciless in WWE, and that was no different from the one in 2024. The event had two Elimination Chamber matches-one for the WWE Championship and one for the Women’s Championship-both of which delivered on the promise of intensity and drama. In the men’s Elimination Chamber match, Drew McIntyre finally won against some of the top stars in WWE to regain his WWE Championship in a very hard-hitting battle. McIntyre’s win was an act of survival and determination, a performance against the odds for a chance once more at this most coveted of titles.

The Women’s Elimination Chamber match was just as exciting, with Bianca Belair powering her way to successfully defend the championship against five of the toughest competitors in WWE. Belair’s performance was nothing short of incredible, showing strength, athleticism, and heart-the reason why she is considered among the best in business. The grudge match between Edge and Finn Bálor was also part of the Elimination Chamber event, wherein the two men tried to sort their differences out inside the steel structure. That just made everything about the night so much more intense, and that brutal and emotional match was another one of those moments that capped it all off. Add in a surprise appearance from The Undertaker for a chokeslam to a disrespectful heel, and it gets electric in there.

6. Backlash

Backlash 2024 was one of those nights of greatness, replete with those memorable matches and storylines that kept the WWE Universe glued from bell to bell. This would set up a main event pitting Roman Reigns, defending the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Kevin Owens in a physical and emotional contest. Owens gave Roman a run for his money, but in the end, the Tribal Chief reigned supreme, retaining the title and keeping his stranglehold on the top of WWE.

Backlash also continued the fight between Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre. Of course, these two superstars stole the show. The match itself was pretty hard-hitting, with both men leaving everything in the ring. It was Rollins who emerged with his arm raised high. WWE was showcasing great talent and depth within its roster, even down to the women’s division-a match that pitted Rhea Ripley against Bayley.

Besides that, an unscheduled tag team match pitting The Street Profits against Imperium left the whole show oozing with excitement and energy. While Backlash probably didn’t have as much hype like some of the other Premium Live Events, it delivered well in terms of match quality and storytelling-a truly memorable event, indeed.

7. Clash at the Castle II

Clash at the Castle II in 2024 gave them a valid reason to return to the United Kingdom, with much anticipation. Headlining that show was a WWE Championship match between Drew McIntyre and Sheamus: men with much history and profound respect between them. The match was a vicious and hard-hitting fight, with both men battering each other senseless before McIntyre retained by the skin of his teeth. It was perhaps the emotional embrace of the two men after the match that reminded everybody how much respect and camaraderie exist within WWE.

The event also contained an exciting Intercontinental Championship match between Gunther and Ricochet, showing great athleticism and in-ring skill from both men. Gunther’s Intercontinental Title reign went on and on, but it was Ricochet who left the WWE Universe talking. Clash at the Castle II also featured hometown hero Wade Barrett, who joined the commentary desk for the evening and received one of several deafening ovations. The event was surely about wrestling itself, which brought those people all over the world into a single night of action not to be forgotten.

Conclusion

It has been an extraordinary year for WWE, with all of its Premium Live Events providing their form of action and drama: from the pomp and circumstance of WrestleMania 40 to the purely brokered bedlam of Royal Rumble to the high-stakes games of Money in the Bank. All the while, WWE has continued to raise the bar and give fans some moments to remember. Much more can be expected to happen in the WWE Universe as the year advances, with all the stories and rivalries that have built up through the year coming to a head.

With the roster full of incredible talent and this creative team firing on all cylinders, the rest of 2024 is shaping up to be just as exciting as the first half, with even more twists, surprises, and iconic moments that fans will be talking about for years to come.